bluff

precipice

Steep rock face

• escarpmentSteep slope dividing elevations
• overhangSection projecting beyond support
• ledgeProjecting horizontal surface

crag · outcrop · promontory · headland · palisade · ridge · steep · overlook · drop-off · riverbank

deceive

Cause false belief

• misleadCause false belief
• feintDeceptive mock attack
• fakeNot the real thing

pretend · bluster · posture · front · facade · ruse · gambit · stratagem · false front · smoke and mirrors

call

Contact by phone

• raiseLift or increase
• foldBend onto itself
• checkOrder to pay

all-in · bet · pot · tell · read · stone-faced · poker face · value bet · representing · stack

swagger

Confident, boastful manner

• boastfulnessExcessive pride in oneself
• cockinessBrash overconfidence
• braggadocioVain, empty self-promotion

boldness · audacity · chutzpah · bluster · posturing · showboating · bombast · brinksmanship · chest-thumping · false confidence

bargaining

Negotiating mutually acceptable terms

• leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
• brinkmanshipPushing conflicts to disaster's threshold
• hardballUncompromising competitive tactics

posturing · demand · counteroffer · standoff · gambit · pressure · tactics · strategy · ultimatum · concession

direct

Undeviating or to guide

• frankOpen and direct
• bluntDull or tactlessly direct
• gruffHarsh in manner

brusque · straightforward · plainspoken · rough · abrupt · curt · unpolished · hearty · no-nonsense · outspoken

• card gamespoker, blackjack, solitaire, hearts, spades
• deceptionlie, lies, lying, fake, fraud
• gambling lingoall in, ante up, raise the stakes, go all in, high roller
• negotiationbargaining, bargain, negotiate, mediation, compromise
• pokerblinds, all-in, all in, call, seven-card stud
• cunning tacticscunning, guile, ruse, ploy, stratagem